J.J. Hickson defends in a game last season. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Armed with what he says is a clean bill of health on his knee, Nuggets forward J.J. Hickson will now only be held back by a five-game suspension at the start of the season.
“I’m a no excuse guy,” Hickson said. “I did what I did and now I’ve got to pay for it. I just want to get it past me and continue to help this ball team win games and get better everyday.”
Hickson was suspended for a violation of the NBA’s Anti-Drug program. Hickson said he apologized to his teammates about being suspended.
“I talked to Tim (Connelly), and coach (Brian) Shaw and my teammates,” Hickson said. “I talked to everybody.”
His message to his teammates: “I let them know that I messed up and it won’t happen again. Because it doesn’t just hurt me and my pocketbook, it hurts the team and thatap what I’m playing for, the team.”
Meanwhile, Hickson says he’s been given the green light to resume full-contact basketball activities after rehabbing a torn ACL, suffered last season.
“I followed (Nuggets strength coach) Steve Hess’ plan all summer and I’m back like I never left,” Hickson said. “Of course I’m going to be held back from a couple of things but itap just precautionary. I’m cleared.”
Hickson, who led the team in rebounding at 9.2 per game last season, said he would not even wear a brace.
“My legs feel stronger,” Hickson said. “They’re fresh.”
Follow Chris Dempsey on Twitter @dempseypost or email him at cdempsey@denverpost.com
